When do you keep your child home from day/childcare?

[Boo Boo]

Jac,

Rylee started CC one day a week probably about 6 weeks ago, and I swear she has been continuously sick with a cough/cold and so have I since she started. She had a mild cough for about month so I took her to the doctor and asked him whether I should keep her away from CC he said no, half of them would be sick as well so I sent her Friday before last, then got a call at 12 pm from them saying she had gone down hill dramatically, I went and picked her up, straight to the doctor and she had tonsilitis - so felt like a bad Mummy sending her along. To cut a long story short, clear runny nose I would still send I think but temperature, gastro, whinging and clearly not happy I wouldn't send her. It is hard isn't it....

Laurin

[Karina]

We keep her home if she seems really unwell. The other week she was a bit off colour one day, and that night slept horribly and had a low fever. In the morning she was much worse so I kept her home. Turned out she had tonsilitis and a temp of 39, so I kept her home for a couple days till she was good. She has also had conjunctivitis a few weeks ago and since its contagious, I kept her home for that. After she had croup, she stayed away from daycare for 3 days.

If she is not coping and is really unwell I'll keep her home with me. I have sent her with a runny nose. As long as its not really really bad though.

[Nai]

I keep DD home if she has vomitting, the runs, a temp, a rash, is very irritable or lethargic or has conjunctivitis.

If it is just a runny nose or cough without any other symptoms then I send her along. Having said that, she has been there for almost a year and a half now and this year she has missed a total of 2 days. Her immune system is definitely stronger for it.

[Danni]

I only keep Ds home if he is really unwell. ie non stop coughing, diarrhoea, vomitting or conjuctivitis (for the contagious factor)

Its good for the kids immune systems and I am sure everything he picks up is from there anyway!

[Phteven]

I keep them home if I think they're contagious with something nasty or if they're too sick to enjoy themselves.
If it's just a runny nose I send them - they pick them up there so I may as well share the love lol.